Moonsighting for Dhul-Hijjah 1429

Saudi Announcement (Official):Saudi Supreme Judicial council has just announced that Saturday, November 29 was 1st Zul-hijjah. Eid-al-Adha will be on Monday, December 8. It was reported that moon was not sighted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 which was 29th Zul-Qi'dah in Saudi Arabia. So 30 days are completed on November 28.

Markazi Jamat Ahle Sunnat UK & Europe:Following the Sunnah of RasoolAllah SAW and Shariah, President Markazi Jamat Ahle Suunat Allama Zafar Mahmood Firashwi announced due to the impossible sighting of the Moon in Majority of the world on the 27th November and limited sighting on the 28th November, we Officially announce the 1st of Dhul Hijja to be Saturday the 29th November 2008 and hence Eid-ul-Adha to be on Monday 8th December 2008. May Allah (SWT) give the Leaders of the Islamic Ummah the Taufiq to announce the correct sighting.

ANNOUNCEMENTS for SWEDEN for Dhul Hijjah 1429 Hijri:As Sweden is situated in the northern part of the world and its location is more than 60 degree north (Moon is generally visible from 60 degree north to 60 degree south), so it is never possible to sight the Hilal until a few days of the month in Sweden. So, for these types of problems, according to Shariah of Islam, we have to follow the nearest (better if possible- then take eastern) muslim oriented regions for starting the Arabic months. According to Shariah we should not start the months following the Governmental declaration but we have to be assured that general people of that muslim oriented region also sighted the Hilal or Crescent moon.
The Crescent moon has to be seen by bare eyes in Saudi Arabia; it is not acceptable to see the Crescent moon by any reinforcement technique (Telescope, Binocular, CCD image etc)".

So, According to this Fatwa as well as Sharia of Islam, Anjumane Al Baiyinaat, Sweden on behalf of the Muslim Community of Sweden is now announcing, "Inshallah the month of Dhul Hijjah '1429 Hizri will start from 3o November 2008 and Eid-ul-Adha 1429 Hijri will be 9 December 2008 in Sweden. Because according to the reliable reports, the Hilal or the Crescent moon of Dhul Hijjah was not sighted anywhere in Saudi Arabia neither on 27 November 2008, nor on 28 November 2008, although the Saudi Government surprisingly has Declared that the 1st day of Dhul Hijjah '1429 Hijri will be 29 November 2008 and Eid-ul-Adha will be 8 December 2008".

The Astronomical New Moon is on Thursday, November 27, 2008 at 16:55 Universal Time (i.e., 11:55 am EST, and 8:55 am PST ). This crescent moon is impossible to be seen anywhere in the world on November 27. On November 28, 2008, it is sightable in Australia, Part of Southern Africa, and South & Central Americas. In North America, on November 28, chances of visibility are very slim with naked eye (e.g., in San Diego, CA at sunset, the moon is only 3 degrees above horizon, and is setting 38 minutes after sunset). So if it is seen on November 28, Eid-ul-Adha in North America will be December 8 (Monday).
For North America, ISNA has decided to go with Saudi's announcement on Hajj such that the next day will be Eid-al-Adha, which is expected to be on December 8 (Monday), unless Saudi announced Hajj on December 6, and then Eid-al-Adha will be on December 7 (Sunday).

In UK, according to a Fatawa from Deoband, India, Eid-al-Adha is expected to be on December 8 (Monday).
According to sighting, in Australia, and IndoPak subcontinent, Eid-al-Adha is expected to be on December 9 (Tuesday), Insha-Allah.

Sighting Reports

Novemebr 27, 2008 (Thursday)

No sighting is possible on Nov 27, anywhere in the world except very south Pacific Ocean where telescopic sighting may be possible.

Moonsighting.com reports that there were no sighting reports from anywhere in the world.

Sighting Reports

Novemebr 28, 2008 (Friday)

On behalf of Dr. Shabbir Ahmed (MCW member) Imam of Rooty Hill Mosque Sydney Australia, Mr. Gulam Qutbuddin Siddiqui reported: Not Seen
Dr Shabbir Ahmed, Imam of Rooty Hill mosque, Sydney has gone for Hajj in year. In compliance with his advise, I wish to inform that the hilal was not sighted anywhere in Australia on Friday, 28th November, 2008 (29th Dhul Qidah 1428AH). On the basis of this information, Dhul Hijjah will commence on Sunday 30th November and Eid Ul Adha will be celebrated on Tuesday, 9th December 2008, insha Allah.

Ahmad I. Adjie (MCW member) Bandung Indonesia reported: Not Seen
The hilal was not seen in Bandung, despite heavy rain clouds the clouds were nowhere near the horizon and the skies was clear which would be fairly easy to see the hilal with the naked eye. Location of sighting was in the northern hills of Bandung city, west Java. Although it was not seen today at 29th Dzulqaidah, we are still waiting for reports from eastern sightings to decide on the 1st of Dzulhijjah.

Mutoha Arkanuddin (MCW member) Yogyakarta Indonesia reported: Not Seen
About eight members of Indonesian Crescents Observation (ICO) from local groups have tried to sight the crescent today (Friday, 28/11) from Bela-belu Hill Parangkusumo Beach of Yogyakarta. According to astronomical calculation (hisab) at Local Time, Sunset 17:43 and Moonset 18:16. Moon-Sun elongation 8.3° and Moon altitude 6.8° above real horizon at Sunset. Moon position on upper-left of the Sunset position with different azimuth 5.5°. However the Western Sky was party cloudy especially at position of the Moon so that the crescent not seen. Officially calendar of Indonesian Government determining that the first day of Zulhijjah 1429 H on Saturday, 29 November 2008 by negative sighting on Thursday (27/11) and Eidul Adha on Monday, 8 December 2008.

AR Sugeng Riyadi (MCW member) Surakarta, Java Indonesia reported: Not Seen
On Friday, 28 November 2008 = 30 Thul-Keadah 1429 AH), I and many of my friends (members of Jama'ah Asy-Syifaa Mosque) tried to see the new crescent of Dzul-Hijjah 1429 AH from our location Bendo-Ketitang-Juwiring Klaten Indonesia (7° 41' 39.17" S,110° 44' 20.64" E, GMT+7, 98 m), but the Hilal was NOT SEEN because the west horizon was totally hazy. Officially calendar of Indonesian Government determining that the first day of Dzul-Hijjah 1429 AH on Saturday, 29 November 2008 by negative sighting on Thursday (27/11) and 'Iedul Adha will be on Monday, 8 December 2008.

Dr. Ali B. Panda (MCW member) Marawi City, Philippines reported: Follow Saudi Arabia
The Grand Mofti of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Aleem Omar Pasigan through the Branch Mofti in Lanao del Sur, Philippines,
Aleem Mahmour S. Polangi announced that the Eidul Adha prayer and celebration in Mindanao, Philippines will commenced on Monday following Saudi Arabia’s announcement (Official). It was revealed that “Saudi Supreme Judicial council has just announced that Saturday, November 29 was 1st Zul-hijjah. Eid-al-Adha will be on Monday, December 8. It was reported that moon was not sighted on Thursday, November 27, 2008 which was 29th Zul-Qi'dah in Saudi Arabia. So 30 days are completed on November 28.”

ABM Ruhul Hassan (MCW member) Dhaka Bangladesh reported: Not Seen
The crescent was not sighted anywhere in Bangladesh on Nov 28, Friday. The sky was hazy as well as partly cloudy. After counting 30 days of Zul-qada we will observe Eid on 9th December, Tuesday, inshallah. Due to computer problem, I am late in reporting, sorry for the inconvenience.

Nular Bary (MCW member) Colombo, Sri Lanka reported: Not Seen
Today, November 28 (29th Dhul Qi'dah), there were no reports from any part of the island of the new crescent up to 10PM) our sunset was at 5:52 PM in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Capt. Tahir Gul Hasan (MCW member) Lahore Pakistan reported: Not Seen
The Dhul Hajj crescent was NOT SIGHTED at Lahore on the evening of 28 November 2008. I tried to sight from my residence rooftop in Lahore, visual & binoculars. The weather was dry with dust-haze. I also requested the Lahore airport's air traffic controller to ask the pilot of a small propellor aeroplane (flying in the circuit at 1500 feet above ground level) to sight the crescent but he was unable to do so.

Maulana Sultan Alam (MCW member) Karachi Pakistan reported: Not Seen
Today ( Friday, November 28, 2008 = 29 Zul-Qaidah 1429), I requested many members of the moon-sighting committees of our institute "JAMIA-TUR-RASHEED" and many of my friends (most of them are Ulama and scholars) all over Pakistan to sight the moon but the moon could not be sighted, as it was expected tonight. Nearly 4 to 5 hundred people tried to sight the moon at the following 20 places all over Pakistan: Karachi (8 places), Badeen, Tando Allahyar, Charsaddah, Hyderabad, Dera-Ismaeel-Khan, Kahror-Pakka, Multan, Aasiabad (Balochistan), Turbat, Islamabad, Shorkot, Sadiqabad. My teachers and some other scholars also tried to sight the moon in Madinah (KSA), but the result was nil. Chairman of central official moon-sighting committee of Pakistan "Mufti Munee-bur-Rahman" told me on my mobile phone that because he did not receive any positive report of moon sighting from all over Pakistan, therefore he has officially announced that Saturday, 29 November 2008 is the 30th Zul-Qaidah and 1st Zul-Hijjah 1429 will fall on Sunday, 30 November 2008, Thus Eidul-Adhha 1429 will fall on Tuesday, 9 December 2008 in Pakistan. Captain Tahir Gul Hasan informed me that he requested the pilot of an aeroplane, 1500 feet above Islamabad, to sight the moon but he also could not sight the moon.

Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) Kuwait reported: Not Seen
In Kuwait at Kabad desert on Friday 28 Nov 2008 I could not see the crescent even with 8" gps guided telescope which was aligned previous night. It was very easy to see the 4 moons of Jupiter 2 each side but unfortnately could not see the single moon of the earth.

Ahmad Abu Zaid (MCW member) Amman Jordan reported: Not Seen

Goolam Tegally (MCW member) Port Louis Mauritius reported: Not Seen
Hilal was NOT sighted this evening Friday 28 Nov due to cloudy sky. We will celebrate Eid-ul-Adha on Tuesday 9 Dec.

Zaffar Sheriff (MCW member) Daressalaam Tanzania reported: Not Seen
On November 28, Daressalaam, Tanzania skies were Overcast over the city. Crescent not seen, with the following info:
Alt 8.4 Deg, Elong 10.1 Deg, Age 22h 30min, Duration 42 min.

Mohamedashiq H Noorany (MCW member) Mombasa Kenya reported: Not Seen
On the evening of Friday 28th November 2008, Mombasa was cloudy and therefore the cresecent could not sighted.

Hamza Rijaal (MCW member) Island of Zanzibar Tanzania reported: Seen
I would like to report that the Hilal for Dhul-Hijja has been sighted in the numebr of places in the tiny island of Zanzibar on the Friday 28th of November and today Saturday is the first day of Dhul-Hijja and its being confirmed by the Mufty Office. We sahll pray Eid on Monday 8th of December, 2008.

Dr. Abdurrazak Ebrahim (MCW member) Cape Town S. Africa reported: Seen
The Dhul Hijjah Hilaal was sighted in Cape Town this Friday evening [28 November 2008, and the end of 29 Dhul Qada 1429 AH] and the official 1st day of Dhul Hijjah in Southern Africa will correspond with Saturday, the 29th November 2008. I first sighted the very thin crescent from my station at the Green Point lighthouse at 19h53 per telescope. This was followed by a binocular sighting at 20h02. Thereafter the crescent was visible to the naked eye from 20h17 until it descended into a thick haze.

Rashid Motala (MCW member) Durban S. Africa reported: Seen
The Hilaal was sighted this evening in SA, many locations.

Imam Majolagbe Monsuru (MCW member) Lagos Nigeria reported: Not Seen
I and some members of my jama't attempted sighting the crescent of Dhul Hijjah 1429 today jumu'at - Friday, 28 Nov, 2008 BY SUNSET TIME but all our efforts proved abortive.

Sheik A.A. Ishola (MCW member) Lagos Nigeria reported: Not Seen
I and brothers tried and search the Dhul.hijjah crescent today 24hr after conjuction today 28-11-08 after magrib in Ikorodu CITY of Lagos State with our nakedeye but was not seen.

Muhammed Yasin Qamardeen (MCW member) Nigeria reported: Not Seen
The New hilal of Dhul Hijja was not visible here at Mangoro, Ikeja, Lagos tonight and from phone chat I had with the Amir Lajinatul Hilal of Ilorin, He equally confirmed that the new Hilal is not visible due to Hazy western sky.

Ibrahima Thierno LO (MCW member) Dakar Senegal reported: Not Seen
Seeing the crescent by naked eyes was tried Friday 28 November, but it was not seen. For the National Hilal Sighting Committee the first of Zul Hijja is Sunday 30 November 2008. Eid would be on Tuesday, 9th December.

Aziz Raje from London UK reported: Not Seen
Many of us attempted sighting in London after Maghrib Salah today Friday but as it was overcast there was no possibility of a sighting. We have no confirmed sighting report from anywhere else in the United Kingdom, although sighting was attempted in many places in the UK. The conditions were reported to be clear in the North West of England.

Alhamdollilah the Wifaqul-ulama are pleased to announce that we have received reliable news of actual Sighting (Muhaqqaq Ru'yat e Basri) of Hilal of Dhul Hijjah from South Africa. Hence we declare that the Month of Dhul Hijjah will commence today 28th November (after Maghrib). The 1st of Dhul Hijjah will be on Saturday, 29th November 2008. Insha Allah Eid ul Adha will therefore be on Monday, 8th of December 2008.

Dr. Muhammad Afifi al-Akiti (MCW member) Oxford UK reported: Tathbit of Hilal based on a Credible Easterly Sighting
Negative sighting. The three of us attempted to perform the obligatory sighting of Dhu l-Hijja after Maghrib on Friday 28 November (the 29th day of Dhu l-Qa'da for the UK). Unfortunately, the horizon is completely overcast as the area is foggy. We received news of positive sightings to the East of the UK from South Africa. This news, despite not being able to sight locally, makes it sufficient for those in the UK to begin their month of Hajj tomorrow, on Saturday 29 November, by following the basic rule [dabita] in Islamic Law in this matter that whenever it is known that the crescent has been positively sighted in the East, local sighting inevitably follows, but not the other way round. Therefore, the first day of 'Id al-Adha in the UK should fall on Monday 8 December. Takbir!

Suleman Manjra (MCW member) Barbados reported: Seen
I've just received some late news that the moon was sighted. Therefore, Inshaallah Eid-Al-Adha will be on Monday, 8th December 2008.

Muhammad Hafiz (MCW member) Guyana reported: Not Seen
I tried to observe the Hilaal at Rose Hall Town Masjid after sunset on Friday, 28th November, 2008 in Guyana. Observation was made impossible due to clouds on the horizon. I am still awaiting news from other brothers in South America and parts of Guyana. If I receive positive sighting I will send the update.

Muhammad Hafiz (MCW member) Guyana later reported: Seen
I was told my Brother Muhammad Haseeb (Murshid of Guyana Islamic Trust and member of Central Hilaal Sighting Committee of Guyana) that the Hilaal for Zul Hijjah was sighted on Friday 28th, November 2008 in Berbice, Guyana and it was confirmed to be authentic.
Eid Ul Adha in Guyana will be on Monday, 8th December, 2008.

Muhammad Sohail (MCW member) Iquique Chile reported: Seen
I have seen the moon of Dhul-Haja on Friday, 28/11/2008 at 20:20 in iquique.

Saleh Bhai Bhattay (MCW member) Panama reported: Seen in Guyana
On Nov 28, Friday, it was raining here in Panama City, but the moon was seen in Guyana by 30-40 people. So based on that Eid-al-Adha will be on Dec 8, Monday.

Salam Elmenyawi from Montreal, Quebec, Canada reported: Announcement
The Muslim Council of Montreal announced that Saturday 29th of November is the first day of Dhul Hijjah based on South Africa and Barbados moon sightings, which agrees with our established criteria. Therefore, in Quebec, Canada, Monday 10th of Zul-Hijja, 8th of December is Eid Ul-Adha day inshaa Allah.

Javad Torabinejad (MCW member) Blacksburg Virginia reported: Not Seen
This evening (Friday, 28 2008), I looked for the crescent moon of Dhul-Hijja in Blacksburg, VA, and could not sight it. I arrived at the sighting location well before sunset (sunset: 5:04). Soon after, I started scanning the WSW/SW horizon in the openings of a partly to mostly cloudy sky till 5:31 (moonset: 5:34) with no success.

Imam Salim Chishti (MCW member) New Lebanon, NY reported: Not Seen
New Lebanon, NY, USA - The crescent was not seen here on the evening of November 28.

HiMY SYeD (MCW member) Toronto Ontario reported: Not Seen
Immediately after my Maghrib prayers, I left our office musallah and walked outside in Scarborough area East end of Toronto, Canada. It was coudy. Shortly before Maghrib, the proverbial, "Heavens being opened up" occured and virtually the entire western
horizon rapidly became cloud free. Searching the now clear western skies for at least 10 minutes resulted in no moon sighting.

Baig Muhammad Tamachi (MCW member) Peterborough Ontario reported: Not Seen
Due clouds dominating the south-westerly skies up 5 to 10 degrees above the horizon, it was not possible to see the hilaal. Although the visibility charts also indicate no chance of seeing hilaal today (Nov. 28, 2008) from N.America, I observed the westerly skies from just before Maghrib (16:36pm) to past Moonset time (16:57pm) until 17:10pm.

Maulana Azhar (Imam of a Masjid) from Port Charlotte, Florida reported: Seen
Today, Friday, November 28, here the sunset was 5:35 pm. We were 6 persons trying to see the moon from about 10 steps higher than the ground. Around 5:45 pm two of us could see the very thin crescent which was in a position such that the setting sun was to the lower right of it. We saw it for about two minutes, and then it went between the branches of the trees. 3 other men and one boy could not see it, probably because of the branches of the trees. It vanished in the trees.

Mohammed Yahya Shaikh (MCW member) Culver City California reported: Not Seen
A blancket of thick grey cloud covered the lower horizon of Playa Del Rey, California. Despite this I attempted to try to see the hilal from 4:45 PM to 5:25 PM, but was unsuccessful.

Dr. Salman Zafar Shaikh (MCW member) New Jersey reported: Not Seen
There are no authenticated Hilal Sighting Reports from anywhere in North America on November 28th 2008G. Hence we complete 30 days of the month of Dhul Qi'dah. Dhul Hijjah starts on Nov 30th 2008, with Eidul Adha being on Tuesday, December 9th Insha’Allaah. The apparent brief Hilal sighting claim from Florida was investigated by at least 4 Astronomers and refuted on the basis of shape of crescent, timing, position and direction of movement. Further, other Muslims in the SAME location failed to sight the Hilal in spite of clear skies. Thus the “Jamme Ghafeer” or requirement of large number of witnesses in case of clear skies was not met. Also negative sighing reports were received from West of Florida including Texas and California. This decision is also endorsed by the Shariah Council of California and Zaytuna Institute.

Hussain Dashti from Gainesville, Florida reported: Seen w/Binoculars only
I was able to see the lunar crescent in Gainesville, Florida on Nov 28th 2008 only with my 10X50 binocular, and I dare say that this was the most difficult crescent for me to sight up until now with my binocular. The sky was partially cloudy but the area where the crescent was seen was extremely clear.
Novemebr 29, 2008 (Saturday)

Aslam Hussain (MCW member) Melbourne, Australia reported: Seen
Just to report that the moon WAS sighted in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday 29th November by naked eye. I and my wife both saw the moon just
after sunset and it was clearly the crescent in a reasonably clear part of the sky. However, despite no local sighting in Australia on Friday 28th
November, many Masjid and Muslims in Australia are doing the Eid on Monday 8th of December due to the announced date of Arafah in Makkah whereas some other Masjid and Muslims are doing Eid on Tuesday 9th December due to the regional sighting here.

Ahmad I. Adjie (MCW member) Bandung Indonesia reported: Seen
On Nov 29, Saturday - Alhamdulillah the crescent was seen. In northern hills of Bandung the sky was full of rain clouds as yesterday, and the horizon was crisp and clear with patches of clouds, facilitating sighting! The crescent was still thin though the age was more than 30 hours old. As such, and also yesterday Friday 28 november 2008 there was no satisfactory more easterly sighting confirmed by anyone from the MCW or from other sighting jemaats that we know of - the 1st of Dhul-hijjah is Sunday, 30th November 2008, and for those who follow moonsighting in Indonesia, 'Ied-al Adha will be on 9th December 2008, therefore completing Dhul-qaidah to 30 days.

Mutoha Arkanuddin (MCW member) Yogyakarta Indonesia reported: Seen
This evening (29/11) the Crescent have visible with easily from my location Masjid Ash-Shobar Yogyakarta Town, Indonesia. It's easy visible by naked eye about five minutes after sunset and seen next few minutes before closed by clouds. This observation followed too by some jamiah masajid after maghrib praying. I have also taken the photograph from my mosque minaret with digicam.

AR Sugeng Riyadi (MCW member) Surakarta, Java Indonesia reported: Seen
Al-Hamdulillah, I could SEE the Crescent by naked eye on Saturday Evening, 29 November 2008 after Sunset. It's easy because the sky was clear; and the crescent still could be seen before closed by trees, from my location, which is Grogol Baki Sukoharjo Indonesia (7° 35' 39.17" S,110° 46' 20.64" E, GMT+7, 110 m). See Photo.

Engr. Azizul Huq (MCW member) Dhaka Bangladesh reported: Seen
On Saturday 29th Nov.2008 within red hazy sky the crescent Moon of Dul-Hajj was easily visible by naked eyes. Islamic foundation, responsible for Moon observation in Bangladesh, confirmed that no moon was visible on 28Th November. So the 1st of Zilhaj will be from 1st December,2008.

Mohammed Mohsin Khan (MCW member) Mumbai, India reported: Seen
In Mumbai today 29th November 2009 was 29th Zil Qada 1429 Hijri. Today Sunset was at 6:00 pm (IST) and Moonset was 07:14 pm (IST).
Here 5 People from a Masjid have seen the Hilaal, and it is officially declared. Alhamdulillah. So EID UL ADHA in Mumbai will be celebarated on Tuesday 9th December 2008. insha allah ta'ala

Iqbalhusen Bokda (MCW member) Godhra, Gujrat, India reported: Seen
Crescent has been sighted in most parts of India today on 29th Nov. So Eid will be celebrated on 9th December, InshaAllah
in INDIA.

Capt. Tahir Gul Hasan (MCW member) Lahore Pakistan reported: Seen
The Dhul Hajj crescent was SIGHTED at Lahore on the evening of 29 November 2008.

Hussain Khushaish (MCW member) Kuwait reported: Seen
In Kuwait on Saturday, 29 Nov 2008 I could see the crescent first with 20*60 binocular at sunset time at 16:49 then with naked eyes at 16:59, that's 10 minutes after sunset. Also my friend Shaik Sadek saw at another location but after 20 minutes of sunset.
Also I did forward to you a report from My Friend Dr. Hussain Dashty - a member in our sighting committe in Kuwait - His report was from Gainsville, Florida, sighting on Nov 28, Friday.

Mushtaq Anwer Ali Rashid from Hodeidah, Yemen reported: Seen
I have sighted hilal sighted today 29/11/2008 at 17:50hrs after Sunset was at 17:36

Dr. Hadi Jaafar (MCW member) Lebanon reported: Seen
Three of us easily sighted the crescent following sunset in Beirut, Lebanon this evening of Nov 29th, 2008. It was easily visible to the naked eye, but low on the horizon, with its horns between 1 and 7.

Abdul Bariu Kareem (MCW member) Ikeja Lagos Nigeria reported: Seen
I sighted the crscent moon of Dhu al-Hijjah 1429 last night 29/11/08 here in Lagos-island area part of Lagos at around 6:46pm Magrib time i wish all muslims happy Eid-al Adha festival

OFFICIAL Day of Eid-al-Adha in Different Countries

December 7, 2008 (Sunday):

Libya (Conjunction before dawn)

Nigeria (Northern area - Announcement by Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs)